The National Jewish Assembly proudly celebrates Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s 77th Independence Day, with heartfelt joy, unshakable pride, and deep gratitude for the miracle that is the State of Israel.
Born in the ashes of the Holocaust, centuries of pogroms, and amid unrelenting hostility, Israel’s rebirth in 1948 stands as one of the most extraordinary stories in human history. It is the fulfilment of ancient yearning, the triumph of Jewish resilience, and a beacon of democracy, innovation, and pluralism in the heart of the Middle East.
“This Yom HaAtzmaut carries special weight,” said Steve Winston, Managing Director of the NJA. “In the face of the October 7 massacre, rocket barrages, international hostility, and antisemitic lies, Israel stands firm – undaunted, unbroken, and proud.”
As British Jews, our bond with Israel is not optional – it is existential. Israel is not only the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, but also our sanctuary, our identity, and our shared future. It is the only place on earth where Jewish life is truly sovereign, and where Jewish safety is not a matter of negotiation.
Yom HaAtzmaut is also a moment to honour the courage of Israel’s soldiers, the innovation of its citizens, and the spiritual endurance of a people who have faced – and overcome – every imaginable threat.
While we mark this day in celebration, we do so with full awareness that the battle for Israel’s legitimacy continues to rage. We pledge to redouble our efforts in defending Israel’s right to exist, to thrive, and to defend itself from those who seek its destruction.
On this 77th year of independence, the NJA calls on all British Jews – and allies of freedom – to stand proud with Israel, to raise our flags higher, and to ensure that the world hears, loudly and clearly: Am Yisrael Chai.
